Oil well heater



Dec. 8, 1931.

J. W. INGISON ET AL OIL WELL HEATER Filed Nov. 18, 1930 I N VEN TORS A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAY w. merson AND ARTHUR LE summ, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA OIL WELL HEATER Application filed November 18, 1980. Serial No. 496,470.

The present invention comprehends the provision of an oil well heater of novel'construction, especially designed to both quickly and effectively meltthe paraflin usually prescut in wells of this character, and which frequently stops the flow of oil.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electricheater for this purpose, constructed to be easily suspended for use,

and one which will occupy a comparatively small space so as not to interfere with the use of a pump in conjunction with the well.

In carrying out the invention, we contemplate a heater casing including spaced communicating limbs partly filled with water, and in one of which limbs is arranged an electric heating unit controlled by a thermostat, and utilized to cause a rapid circulation of hot water through the lower portion of the casing.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection withthe accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this ap- I plication, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and where- Figure 1 .is a vertical sectional view through the device forming the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Figure 1..

The device preferably embodies a substantially U-shaped casing including spaced parallel limbs of relatively different lengths and indicated at A and B respectively. The limb A is adapted to be partly filled with water and is made up of a plurality of sections suitably connected together, preferably by spaced T-couplings 10 and 11. while the limb B is adapted to be wholly filled with water, and made up of sections suitably connected together. This limb B also includes a T-coupling 12 arranged in juxtaposition to the coupling 10, and these two couplings are connected together by a sleeve 13, which construction establishes communication between the limbs A and B at an appropriate point in the length of the casing. Consequently the water when heated in the manner to be presently described, is caused to circulate rapidly about the lower portion of the casing, rising in the limb B and passing throu h the sleeve 13 into the limb A and then bac into the limb B.

Supported by the T-coupling 12 of the limb B, is an air chamber, made up of suitable casing sections connected by a T-coupling 14 which is disposed in juxtaposition to the T- coupling 11 of thelimb A. The air chamber 15 includes a bottom 16 from which depends an electric heating element 17 of any suitable construction. The heating element 17 is of course submerged in the water of the limb B, and passing through the T-coupling 12 and throughout an appreciable extent of the lengthof the limb B. The air chamber 15 is also provided with a cap 18 from which rises a pipe or conduit 19 within which is arranged the electric wires 20, and these wires extend into the air chamber 15 as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The T-couplings 11 and 14 respectively are connected by a plug 21, through which passes a thermostat 22, the latter being connected with the electric wires 20 and partly submerged in the water contained in the limb A. This-hydrostat manifestly controls the temperature of the heatin element 17.

As above stated, the limb A is only partly filled with water, so that the upper portion of this limb is empty to serve as a back air for taking care of the expansion created in heating the water and also serves as a conductor of the vapor,which will condense and return to the lower portion of the limb. Arranged in the upper portion of the limb A at an appropriate distance above the water level is a perforated disk 23 which allows the vapor to pass into the empty upper portion of the limb, and to also return after the vapor has been condensed. The upper end of the limb isclosed by a suitable cap 24 which is connected with a pipe or other element utilized to suspend the device for use and which element is indicated at 25.

By reason of the construction herein illustratedand described, it is obvious that the .device can be conveniently suspended for use,

' and it is designed to occupy but a minimum of space soasnot to interfere in any way with the pump usually employed with wells of this character, and when the heating element 17 is called into use, a 'rapid circulation of hot water is created, with the water flowing through the limbs A and B in the lower part of the casing ina manner hereinabove described. By the use of the invention, the paraflin usually present in wells of the char;

acter mentioned, and which frequently stops the flow of oil,can be very quickly melted and subsequently drawn from the well by means or a suitable pump. I v

A heater of the present type has several'important advantages." There is no danger'of the heating element causing fire, and the hot water heat is under proper control so that the sur'iace-ofthe rock or shale in the well will notbe burnt or seared. Furtheij'the temperature is automatically kept atthe desired point, and the heat is carried to" and confined at V the required place without loss.

While the, construction shown is highly eflicient, the casing may be made of any desired shape to conform to orbe properly received in any form of space to be heated. Nhile it is believed that from the foregoing' description vthe natureand advantages of the invention will be readilyund-erst'ood, We desire, to have it known that we do not limit :ours'elvesto what is herein illustrated Y and described, and that such changes may be mentioned chamber and submerged in said limb, electric wires arranged in said chamber, a thermostat connected with said wires and partly submerged in the longer limb,- and means for establishing communication between the respective limbs of the casing at an appropriate point in their length, whereby said Water is caused to circulate through the limbs for the purpose specified.

3. A device, of the character described comprising a substantially 'U-sh'aped casing ineluding spaced limbs of relatively different lengths adapted to contain water, T-couplings establishing communication between said limbs at an appropriate point in the length of the casing, to provide for the circulation of water through the lower portion thereof, an air chamber supported by one Of the couplings abovethe short limb, an electric heating element suspended-,irom said chamber and submerged in said limb, electric wires arranged in said chamber, and a thermostat connected with said wires and partly submerged in the adjacent limb for the'purpose specified.

- In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures; v

' JAY INGISON.

ARTHUR SUEUR.

cl-uding spaced limbs of relatively difierent lengths adapted to be partly filled with water, an air chambersupported on one of said limbs,ian electric heating element depending from said chamber and submerged in said limb,ffelectric wires arranged in said chamher, a thermostat connected with said wires 7 and partly submerged in theother limb, and

means for establishing communication between the respectivelimbsat an appropriate point in the length of the casing, V'whereby said water .is caused to circulate through said limbs'f'or the purpose specified. 1 7 2.. A device' of the character described comprising a substantially 'U-shaped casing ineluding spaced limbs'of relatively different lengthsadapted to contain Water, the upper, portionof the longer'limb above the water level constituting a chamber totakecare of th expansion created in heating the water and also servingas a condenser forthe vapor received thereby,ya perforated disk located in said chamber, aniair chamber supported by the upper end of the shortflimb, an elec trl-c'heating element depending from the last- 

